atopic dermatitis

noun

Medical Definition of atopic dermatitis

: a chronic, eczematous skin condition that primarily affects children, is marked especially by intense itching, inflammation, and xerosis, and occurs chiefly in those with a personal or familial history of atopy The hallmarks of atopic dermatitis are a chronic, relapsing form of skin inflammation, a disturbance of epidermal-barrier function that culminates in dry skin, and IgE-mediated sensitization to food and environmental allergens.— Thomas Bieber, The New England Journal of Medicine, 3 Apr. 2008 abbreviation AD